Browsing All posts tagged under »labour«

The more things change, the more they stay the same. That French expression certainly applies in South Africa where there has been major change in the legal deracialisation of society, but where the fundamental class divide is perhaps even more starkly evident.

South Africa's governing ANC, along with the opposition political parties, share one thing in common: the mantra that they alone can usher in a “new dawn” for the working people of the country. But the important question remains: is a new dawn possible under the present circumstances and under the existing system?

As austerity policies start to bite, it is essential that reliable statistical data be critical analysed and interpreted to avoid the distortions of such material by politicians and others with self-serving agendas to push. Only in this way will we be able to see a clear way forward, uninfluenced by political agendas that are all too frequently spiced with wishful thinking.

There are moments in history that must be remembered and discussed because of the profound influence they may have on where we are now and where we may wish society to be in the future. The past week, especially from South African perspective, has provided several such moments to remember.

Some small steps were taken in Cape Town last week that may revitalise the weakened trade union movement and so, hopefully, ensure that decent work regulations are not only put in place, but are closely monitored — and enforced.

A university-based network may hopefully galvanise the labour movement to make a priority of the Decent Work project the network has started. This could, in its turn, move toward an essential reform on the way to radical economic transformation.

A united, fully democratic trade union movement, supported by the mass of workers, may be the only way to bring about desperately needed and radical political, economic and social transformation. However, in the present circumstances, does this amount to wishful thinking?